The number of the Deryni was small, very small--for they had been hounded for generations, their very identity kept secret for so long that many who were of Deryni blood did not know it. Those who did, those few who had managed to retain their arcane powers, concealed their background--for bitter persecution once again swept the land of Gwynedd, inspired by a raving fanatic sworn to destroy all Deryni in a final bloodbath.